Top 10 Free & Paid Screen Recording Software for Beginners and Pros (2025/26)

Why Screen Recording Is Booming in 2025

In 2025, screen recording software has become more essential than ever. Whether you're creating YouTube tutorials, sharing walkthroughs with a remote team, or building your next viral TikTok, the demand for clean, high-quality screen content is sky-high.

With the rise of content creators, YouTubers, marketers, and online educators, the video economy is booming. Just look at the YouTube Creator Playlist or Facebook Creators pages—everyone is making video content today.

So whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro, here's your definitive list of the top 10 screen recording software (both free and paid) in 2025–26.

1. OBS Studio (Free)

Overview + Key Features

OBS Studio remains the top choice for creators looking for professional-grade screen recording and live streaming—without spending a dime. It offers powerful features such as real-time audio/video mixing, unlimited scenes, multiple sources, and studio mode for live preview.

• No watermarks or recording limits

• Supports plugins and custom scripts

• Live stream to YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook

Best For

• Streamers

• YouTubers

• Tech reviewers

• Educators

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux

Learn More

Check out the official OBS YouTube tutorial for setup instructions.

2. Camtasia (Paid)

Overview + Key Features

Camtasia is the gold standard for screen recording and post-production editing. Perfect for professional tutorial creators, it combines easy-to-use screen capture tools with a powerful timeline editor.

• Drag-and-drop interface

• Annotations, transitions, and effects

• Built-in music & audio effects

• Interactive quizzes for eLearning

Best For

• Corporate training

• Educational content

• Course creators

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

Learn More

Watch this Camtasia beginner tutorial for step-by-step guidance.

3. Loom (Freemium)

Overview + Key Features

Loom exploded in popularity due to its quick and easy workflow. It's great for remote teams and solo creators who need to record and share videos instantly.

• 1-click recording

• Cloud-based sharing

• Built-in analytics

• Browser extension

Best For

• Product demos

• Remote team communication

• Quick tutorials

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

• Chrome Extension

• iOS / Android (mobile app)

Learn More

Check Loom’s quickstart guide.

4. Bandicam (Freemium)

Overview + Key Features

Bandicam is well-loved for its low CPU usage and ability to record high-resolution videos up to 4K. It also supports device recording from webcams or consoles.

• Game recording mode

• Real-time drawing and webcam overlay

• Scheduled recording

• Mouse effect customization

Best For

• Gamers

• Product reviewers

• YouTube tutorials

Platform Compatibility

• Windows only

Learn More

View the Bandicam tutorial playlist.

5. Screencast-O-Matic (Freemium)

Overview + Key Features

Now rebranded as ScreenPal, this tool is ideal for educators and marketers who want an intuitive screen recorder and video editor rolled into one.

• Easy editing with stock media

• Captioning, zoom, and highlight effects

• Integration with LMS platforms

Best For

• Teachers

• Coaches

• Online courses

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

• Chromebook

Learn More

Watch the ScreenPal overview.

6. Snagit (Paid)

Overview + Key Features

Also from TechSmith, Snagit focuses on image and video screen capture for quick documentation and tutorials.

• Scrolling screen capture

• Text recognition from screenshots (OCR)

• GIF creation and quick share tools

Best For

• Documentation teams

• Marketers

• Corporate presentations

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

Learn More

Check out Snagit’s video tour.

7. ShareX (Free)

Overview + Key Features

ShareX is open-source and surprisingly feature-rich. It’s often considered the “power user’s choice” for its advanced automation.

• Custom workflows and hotkeys

• Upload to Imgur, Dropbox, Google Drive

• Annotations, watermarks, effects

Best For

• Developers

• Power users

• Workflow automation geeks

Platform Compatibility

• Windows only

Learn More

See the ShareX quick guide.

8. Movavi Screen Recorder (Freemium)

Overview + Key Features

Movavi is a lightweight yet capable screen recording app that’s easy to install and operate—great for quick jobs.

• Scheduled recording

• Mouse effects and keystroke capture

• Direct YouTube/Google Drive upload

Best For

• Freelancers

• Students

• Content creators needing fast edits

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

Learn More

Tutorial: How to use Movavi

9. FlashBack Express (Free + Paid)

Overview + Key Features

FlashBack offers a generous free version with no watermarks. Its Pro edition brings pro-level features like multi-track editing.

• Unlimited recording length

• Webcam and microphone support

• Video editing, annotations, transitions

Best For

• Office presentations

• Screencasts

• Business users

Platform Compatibility

• Windows only

Learn More

Watch a FlashBack Pro walkthrough.

10. Icecream Screen Recorder (Freemium)

Overview + Key Features

Icecream Apps offers a versatile and clean interface with multiple output formats and editing support.

• Record full screen or custom area

• Add logos/watermarks

• Draw on videos while recording

Best For

• Beginners

• Casual users

• Freelance editors

Platform Compatibility

• Windows

• macOS

• Android

Learn More

See it in action.

Choosing the Right Screen Recording Software

Here’s what you should consider:

• Interface: Beginners should look for drag-and-drop simplicity (e.g., Loom, Camtasia).

• Features: Do you need editing tools, live streaming, annotations?

• Hardware Requirements: OBS Studio can be resource-heavy; Loom is more lightweight.

• Budget: Free options like ShareX or OBS are powerful. Paid tools offer polish.

Make sure to test trial versions before committing.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Tool

There’s no one-size-fits-all screen recorder. What works for a Twitch streamer may not suit a business trainer. If you're a beginner, start with Loom or OBS. For pros, Camtasia or Snagit may be your new best friend.

Bookmark this guide—we'll be updating it regularly with the latest tools and features throughout 2025 and into 2026!